A strong entry of dairy beef heifers in Central Auctions in Birr on Monday meant that average prices took a hit on the week.

Lighter heifers between 350kg and 400kg saw the biggest drop of 15c/kg on the week to level at €1.89/kg.

With not much between the quality in this section, it meant that the difference in price paid between the top and bottom was only around 10c/kg.

Strong heifers

Slighter stronger heifers ready to utilise the upcoming expected grass growth fared much better. These were also helped by being mostly sired by continental bulls.

Heifers weighing between 400kg and 500kg sold for an average price of €2/kg. This was topped by a group of two-year-old Limousin-cross heifers that made €2.39/kg.

As the weights got higher, the price/kg again started to drop back below the €2/kg mark to the mid-€1.80s.

That said, if the right continental-sired animal entered, it easily passed this mark. One Limousin-cross 570kg heifer born in January 2018 sold for €1,200, or €2.11/kg.

Males

A bigger entry of male stock saw an increased demand, with stock selling for an average of €1.75/kg to €2.00/kg across the weight divisions.

Strongest of these was the lighter steers fit for grass, which saw prices as high as €2.18/kg. Top in this section was a group of spring 2019-born Hereford-crosses which sold for €800 at an average weight of 367kg.